2018 Ford F-150 Review: Small Improvements Are Actually Big Ones

The verdict:
The 2018 F-150 improves in all the right areas to make it future-proof for a few more years.

Versus the competition:
While currently a favorite, the F-150 will likely face stiff competition from upcoming Chevrolet Silverado and Ram redesigns.

The 2018 Ford F-150 is preparing for an assault from its fiercest rivals, the soon-to-be-redesigned Chevrolet Silverado and Ram 1500. Somewhat out of cycle from its competitors, the F-150 was last fully redesigned for 2015, when it got an aluminum body and steel frame and became one of the most civilized and high-tech trucks around. It also got some unique features, such as adaptive cruise control and a forward collision warning system with automatic braking, that other trucks lack. Will the F-150 instantly be outdated as soon as there's a new Silverado and Ram? Doubtful, given its updates for 2018.

For 2018, the F-150 gets more power, more torque, more gears and more mpg to better compete with a crop of new trucks on its way — trucks that have undoubtedly benchmarked the impressive F-150. Despite not accelerating as fast as the 6.2-liter-powered Chevrolet or GMC trucks in our previous testing, the F-150 still takes the crown for drivability.

For this review, I drove a 2018 F-150 Platinum (the second-most-expensive trim level) with the updated 5.0-liter V-8 and its new 10-speed automatic transmission. You can read about the full engine lineup, including a new base 3.3-liter V-6, in our First Drive of the 2018 Ford F-150. Half-ton truck shoppers are no doubt familiar with sticker shock, so we'll just mention our test truck's $63,800 price tag and move right along.

Updated 5.0-Liter V-8

The 5.0-liter V-8 isn't the flashiest engine in the F-150 lineup (the 2.7-liter and 3.5-liter turbocharged EcoBoost V-6s get that nod). In previous years, the V-8 felt more like a courtesy engine for die-hard V-8 truck buyers. Why? Because it was matched in our acceleration and towing tests by the less-expensive turbo 2.7-liter, and it was easily outperformed by the 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine.

For 2018, the 5.0-liter gains a new fuel-injection system with both port and direct fuel injection for 10 more horsepower and 13 more pounds-feet of torque, up to 395 hp and 400 pounds-feet. That extra power and torque, teamed with the 10-speed's added gears, make the 2018 5.0-liter a more compelling engine option for die-hard V-8 buyers — though if you're looking for my recommended engine, the turbo 2.7-liter V-6 is the jack-of-all-trades that no one should be ashamed to buy, even if it's missing a few cylinders. But if you must have a V-8, the 2018 F-150's is better than before.

10-Speed Transmission Is Transformative

The secret to the V-8's improvements is primarily the new 10-speed automatic transmission, which uncorks more of the 5.0-liter's potential. The previous F-150 5.0-liter came with only six gears, which didn't do the high-revving V-8 any favors; it took too long to get the engine into its power-making range. The 10-speed's aggressive gearing gives the engine many more options (four, to be exact), and the first six gears are shorter than before: 4.7, 2.99, 2.15, 1.77, 1.52 and 1.28:1 versus the six-speed's 4.17, 2.34, 1.5, 1.14, 0.86 and 0.69:1 gearing. The 10-speed's 7th gear is a 1:1 ratio, while 8th, 9th and 10th are overdrive gears.

The result is less falloff in engine speed between gears, plus continuous, smooth pulling power. Programming is exceptionally intuitive, and the transmission downshifts promptly and can jump half its gears if needed. Another editor noted engine lugging at slower speeds as well as some hunting of gears, but an easy way to resolve that is by switching to Sport mode, which hangs on to numerically lower gears and isn't too aggressive to drive on a daily basis.

Extra power and torque, teamed with the 10-speed's added gears, make the 2018 5.0-liter a more compelling engine option for die-hard V-8 buyers.

F-150 buyers also get improved fuel-economy ratings, up an EPA-estimated 1 mpg in all categories with four-wheel drive to 16/22/18 mpg city/highway/combined. With rear-wheel drive, it's up 2 mpg in the city and 1 mpg both on the highway and overall, at 17/23/19 mpg. On its own, that may not seem significant, but combined with the truck's significantly improved drivability, it's a notable benefit.

F-150 as a Luxury Truck

The four-wheel-drive, V-8 Platinum SuperCrew I drove is on the higher end of the F-150 spectrum. It's priced at more than $60,000 and is only one slot below the top Limited trim. For 2018, there aren't many improvements to the cabin, technology or even ride and handling, which we cover in-depth in the 2016 Ford F-150 expert review. The F-150 Platinum remains a luxury truck in the sense that it's super nice to drive and has interior quality, features and technology that stand out in the segment.

Interior quality is on par with an entry-level BMW sedan, and the ride and handling are unlike any other half-ton truck, with agility and on-road stability reminiscent of a much smaller non-truck; it feels more like an SUV, in fact. The available 360-degree cameras, massaging seats, impressive new B&O Play stereo by Bang & Olufsen and class-exclusive adaptive cruise control — which also works while towing a trailer — seal the deal: The F-150 is more than simply a utility vehicle.

Safety

The F-150's crashworthiness ratings are top-of-the-class. It scored the highest rating in Insurance Institute for Highway Safety crash tests, but it lacks Top Safety Pick status because of poor headlight performance. The 2018 F-150 hadn't been tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration as of publication.

The F-150 is the only half ton with optional forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking. Others have collision warning but won't automatically apply the brakes to prevent a collision; that could easily change with the next-generation Silverado and Ram, however.

Towing and Payload

We have yet to subject the 2018 F-150 to a full towing test, but historically, additional gearing has helped improve towing performance, both numerically as well as in seat-of-the-pants comfort thanks to a drivetrain that's more responsive and an engine in its peak torque range. Maximum towing for 2018 increases to 13,200 pounds when equipped with the 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine. Maximum payload honors go to the 5.0-liter V-8 at a rated 3,270 pounds. Ford's Pro Trailer Backup Assist remains a unique option that takes the guesswork out of backing up a trailer.

Value in Its Class

More than $60,000 is certainly a lot of money to spend on a vehicle often seen as a utilitarian workhorse, but the F-150 Platinum has an interior, feature set and drivability satisfying enough that I didn't scoff at the price after spending a couple of hundred miles behind the wheel. And you don't have to spend $60,000 to get a really good F-150, as detailed in our 2016 test of the 2.7-liter mid-trim-level extended-cab XLT: It had four-wheel drive, remote start, an LED-illuminated cargo box, a tailgate step, a trailer brake and a spray-in bedliner for $43,085.

The F-150 Platinum, however, can take your payload to work, take your kids to school and be taken out for a date night without pause. And for its price, the F-150 offers features and drivability the other half tons don't — for now, anyway.

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